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Wednesday, 24 January 2018

The Polish Prime Minister has said Britain will have to continue making financial contributions to the European Union if it wants to enjoy privileged access to the single market.

Mateusz Morawiecki said the EU would take a tough stance on Britain's desire for a comprehensive free trade deal.

He said he wanted a positive relationship, but that costs would be attached.

But a UK minister told me Britain would not agree to that "at the outset".

When I spoke to Mr Morawiecki in Davos I asked him whether Britain would have to pay to get "a good deal".

"I hope so," he told me.

"There has to be some price for full access and to what extent this access is going to be available has to be made dependent on some other contributions, potentially including this financial contribution."

Such a move could be controversial among many Brexit supporters in Britain - a point Mr Morawiecki agreed with.

"Yes, but you cannot have your cake and eat the same cake," he said.

The Polish PM's comments come a few hours after David Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, rejected any plans to continue making contributions.

Mr Davis said Britain was a "proud country" and would not pay "some sort of Danegeld".